The village entrance grew lively.
It was not only a professional construction crew that had arrived, but Menma and his group as well.
The team wound its way along the mountain road. At the front walked several young technicians in the blue-gray uniforms of the Land of Stars, carrying surveying instruments and blueprints on their backs as they compared the maps in their hands and discussed something in low voices.
Behind them were a dozen or so workers in work clothes. Some carried tools, while others pushed carts loaded with all kinds of measuring equipment and samples of building materials.
At the very back of the team, Menma led Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Rock Lee, Tenten, Yakumo, Ino, Sakura, as well as Chino and her three students.
A large crowd marched into the village in a grand procession.
Among Naruto and the others was a figure who seemed slightly out of place, silently following at the rear of the group.
Shino Aburame.
Late last night, after Kimimaro finished training and returned home, he had found Shino in the entryway, so hungry he was almost on the verge of collapse.
He first ordered takeout, then immediately contacted Menma.
Only when Menma received the news did he remember who was missing. After a moment of silence, he reflected a little on Shino's lack of presence, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to hurry back to Star City and bring over Shino, who had already filled his stomach but still looked somewhat resentful.
At that moment, Shino walked within the group without saying a word.
No one noticed when he had appeared, and no one asked what he had gone through the previous night. Just like that, he blended silently into the team.
The village chief, Kuno Naoki, had already come